In the morning he had a letter from his brother William, the first for fifteen years, announcing his return from India and settlement at Sydenham, near the Crystal Palace, where he would be glad to see Francis, his wife, or any of his children. How many were there? He, William, had two.
Francis handed it over to his wife just as Frederic came down.
“Aren’t you going to congratulate Frederic, my dear?” asked Mrs. Folyat.
Frederic looked across at his father with malicious defiance in his eyes. Francis opened another letter and ignored the question. Mrs. Folyat returned to the charge.
“My dear, Frederic is to be congratulated.”
“I am as delighted,” replied Francis, “as Frederic is himself.”
Frederic viciously sliced off the top of an egg. Mrs. Folyat seemed to be satisfied. She read William’s letter.
“That will be very nice,” she said. “Gertrude could stay with them on her way back from the Folkestone Folyats.”
Frederic went to the door and bawled peevishly to Annette to bring his coffee.